Method and apparatus to determine time and distance between transceivers using phase measurements

ABSTRACT

Systems, apparatuses and methods are disclosed for estimating a signal travel time, and thus distance between transceivers, in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system. The signal travel time is measured between a transmit time (t T ) and a receive window time (t window ) adjusted by the phase delay (T Φ ). The phase delay (T Φ ) is determined as a difference between a receive time (t R ) and the receive window time (t window ). The receive time (t R ) may be determined based on either an amplitude of the received signal at the receive window time (t window ) or when the received signal crosses a positive-negative axis. In synchronous systems, either a one-way time (OWT) or round-trip time (RTT) may be used for estimation. In asynchronous systems, an RTT is used for estimation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit of andpriority to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/770,792, filed Feb. 19, 2013,and entitled “Method and apparatus to determine time and distancebetween transceivers using phase measurements,” which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

I. Field of the Invention

This disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for positionestimation of a wireless device, and more particularly to determining atime of arrival in RTT (round-trip time) systems or OWT (one way time)if the systems are synchronous.

II. Background

To assist in position estimation, a mobile device may capture receivedsignal strength indication (RSSI) measurements from three or more accesspoints. A server or the mobile device itself may apply trilateration tothese RSSI measurements using a distance model based on RSSI to estimatea position of the mobile device. Unfortunately, trilateration with RSSImeasurements results in a high level of uncertainty in positionestimation because of the uncertainty of the RSSI measurement themselvesand dependency on an accurate distance model based on RSSI measurements.

Round-trip time (RTT) or one way time (OWT) measurements advantageouslyhave a much lower level of distance uncertainty than the RSSImeasurements. RTT measurements record a round-trip time starting with aninitial signal being transmitted, accounting for remote transceiverprocessing delays, and ending with a final signal being received. Forexample, a signal is transmitted from a mobile device to an access pointand back to the mobile device. Though several uncertainties exist (suchas processing delays with the remote transceiver) with RTT measurement,these variables may be determined or estimated. A server or a mobiledevice may use the RTT measurements in trilateration to more accuratelyestimate the position of the mobile device.

Unfortunately, determining when a signal is received may be inaccurateup to 20% or 25% of a width of an OFDM symbol, therefore, other meansare used to determine RTT. A more precise method is needed to eliminatethis inherent and unknown offset so this windowing method may be used.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to some aspects, disclosed is a method for estimating around-trip time (RTT) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) system, the method comprising: transmitting a first OFDM signalat a first transmit time (t_(T1)) from a first transceiver to a secondtransceiver; receiving, at the first transceiver and from the secondtransceiver, a second OFDM signal in a window A having a window A starttime (t_(windowA)); and determining a window A phase difference (T_(ΦA))from a first difference of a receive time (t_(R2)) of the second OFDMsignal and a window A start time (t_(windowA)) of the window A.

According to some aspects, disclosed is an apparatus for estimating around-trip time (RTT) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) system, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting a firstOFDM signal at a first transmit time (t_(T1)) from a first transceiverto a second transceiver; means for receiving, at the first transceiverand from the second transceiver, a second OFDM signal in a window Ahaving a window A start time (t_(windowA)); and means for determining awindow A phase difference (T_(ΦA)) from a first difference of a receivetime (t_(R2)) of the second OFDM signal and a window A start time(t_(windowA)) of the window A.

According to some aspects, disclosed is an apparatus for estimating around-trip time (RTT) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) system, the apparatus comprising: a first transceiver comprising:a transmitter configured to transmit a first OFDM signal at a firsttransmit time (t_(T1)) from the first transceiver to a secondtransceiver; and a receiver configured to receive, at the firsttransceiver and from the second transceiver, a second OFDM signal in awindow A having a window A start time (t_(windowA)); and a processorcoupled to the first transceiver and configured to determine a window Aphase difference (T_(ΦA)) from a first difference of a receive time(t_(R2)) of the second OFDM signal and the window A start time(t_(windowA)).

According to some aspects, disclosed is a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium transceiver for estimating a round-triptime (RTT) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)system, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includingprogram code stored thereon, comprising program code to: transmit afirst OFDM signal at a first transmit time (t_(T1)) from a firsttransceiver to a second transceiver; receive, at the first transceiverand from the second transceiver, a second OFDM signal in a window Ahaving a window A start time (t_(windowA)); and determine a window Aphase difference (T_(ΦA)) from a first difference of a receive time(t_(R2)) of the second OFDM signal and a window A start time(t_(windowA)) of the window A.

According to some aspects, disclosed is a method for estimating areceive time of a first OFDM signal in an orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM) system, the method comprising: receiving, from afirst transceiver and at a second transceiver, the first OFDM signal ina window B having a window B start time (t_(windowB)); and determining awindow B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) from a first difference between areceive time (t_(R1)) of the first OFDM signal and the window B starttime (t_(windowB)).

According to some aspects, disclosed is an apparatus for estimating areceive time of a first OFDM signal in an orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM) system, the apparatus comprising: means forreceiving, from a first transceiver and at a second transceiver of theapparatus, the first OFDM signal in a window B having a window B starttime (t_(windowB)); and means for determining a window B phasedifference (T_(ΦB)) from a first difference between a receive time(t_(R1)) of the first OFDM signal and the window B start time(t_(windowB)).

According to some aspects, disclosed is an apparatus for estimating areceive time in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)system, the apparatus comprising: a second transceiver comprising areceiver configured to receive, from a first transceiver and at thesecond transceiver, a first OFDM signal in a window B having a window Bstart time (t_(windowB)); and a processor coupled to the secondtransceiver and configured to determine a window B phase difference(T_(ΦB)) from a first difference between a receive time (t_(R1)) of thefirst OFDM signal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)).

According to some aspects, disclosed is a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium for estimating a receive time in anorthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), the non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium including program code stored thereon,comprising program code to: receive, from a first transceiver and at asecond transceiver, a first OFDM signal in a window B having a window Bstart time (t_(windowB)); and determine a window B phase difference(T_(ΦB)) from a first difference between a receive time (t_(R1)) of thefirst OFDM signal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)).

According to some aspects, disclosed is a method for estimating aone-way time (OWT) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) system, the method comprising: receiving an OFDM signal at afirst transmit time (t_(T1)) from a first transceiver sent to a secondtransceiver in a window B having a window B start time (t_(windowB));and determining a window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) from a firstdifference of a receive time (t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal and the windowB start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B; wherein the firsttransceiver and the second transceiver are synchronous.

According to some aspects, disclosed is an apparatus for estimating aone-way time (OWT) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) system, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving an OFDMsignal at a first transmit time (t_(T1)) from a first transceiver sentto the apparatus in a window B having a window B start time(t_(windowB)); and means for determining a window B phase difference(T_(ΦB)) from a first difference of a receive time (t_(R1)) of the OFDMsignal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B;wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver aresynchronous.

According to some aspects, disclosed is an apparatus for estimating aone-way time (OWT) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) system, the apparatus comprising: a second transceiver configuredto receive an OFDM signal at a first transmit time (t_(T1)) from a firsttransceiver sent to the apparatus in a window B having a window B starttime (t_(windowB)); and a processor coupled to the second transceiverand configured to determine a window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) from afirst difference of a receive time (t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal and thewindow B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B; wherein the firsttransceiver and the second transceiver are synchronous.

According to some aspects, disclosed is a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium for estimating a one-way time (OWT) inan orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium including program codestored thereon, comprising program code to: receive an OFDM signal at afirst transmit time (t_(T1)) from a first transceiver sent to a secondtransceiver in a window B having a window B start time (t_(windowB));and determine a window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) from a firstdifference of a receive time (t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal and a window Bstart time (t_(windowB)) of the window B.

According to some aspects, disclosed is a method for estimating aone-way time (OWT) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) system, the method comprising: receiving an OFDM signal at atransmit time (t_(T2)) at a first transceiver and from a secondtransceiver in a window A having a window A start time (t_(windowA));receiving the transmit time (t_(T2)) from the second transceiver sent tothe first transceiver; determining a window A phase difference (T_(ΦA))from a first difference of a receive time (t_(R2)) of the OFDM signaland a window A start time (t_(windowA)) of the window A; and computingthe OWT based on: the window A start time (t_(windowA)) of the window A;the window A phase difference (T_(ΦA)); and the transmit time (t_(T2));wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver aresynchronous.

According to some aspects, disclosed is an apparatus for estimating aone-way time (OWT) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) system, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving an OFDMsignal at a transmit time (t_(T2)) at a first transceiver and from asecond transceiver in a window A having a window A start time(t_(windowA)); means for receiving the transmit time (t_(T2)) from thesecond transceiver sent to the first transceiver; means for determininga window A phase difference (T_(ΦA)) from a first difference of areceive time (t_(R2)) of the OFDM signal and a window A start time(t_(windowA)) of the window A; and means for computing the OWT based on:the window A start time (t_(windowA)) of the window A; the window Aphase difference (T_(ΦA)); and the transmit time (t_(T2)); wherein thefirst transceiver and the second transceiver are synchronous.

According to some aspects, disclosed is an apparatus for estimating aone-way time (OWT) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) system, the apparatus comprising: a first transceiver configuredto: receive the OFDM signal at a transmit time (t_(T2)) from the secondtransceiver sent to the first transceiver in a window A having a windowA start time (t_(windowA)); and receive the transmit time (t_(T2)) fromthe second transceiver sent to the first transceiver; and a processorcoupled to the first transceiver and configured to: determine a window Aphase difference (T_(ΦA)) from a first difference of a receive time(t_(R2)) of the OFDM signal and a window A start time (t_(windowA)) ofthe window A; and compute the OWT based on: the window A start time(t_(windowA)) of the window A; the window A phase difference (T_(ΦA));and the transmit time (t_(T2)); wherein the first transceiver and thesecond transceiver are synchronous.

According to some aspects, disclosed is a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium for estimating a one-way time (OWT) inan orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium including program codestored thereon, comprising program code to: receive an OFDM signal at atransmit time (t_(T2)) at a first transceiver and from a secondtransceiver in a window A having a window A start time (t_(windowA));receive the transmit time (t_(T2)) from the second transceiver sent tothe first transceiver; determine a window A phase difference (T_(ΦA))from a first difference of a receive time (t_(R2)) of the OFDM signaland a window A start time(t_(windowA)) of the window A; and compute theOWT based on: the window A start time(t_(windowA)) of the window A; thewindow A phase difference (T_(ΦA)); and the transmit time (t_(T2));wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver aresynchronous.

It is understood that other aspects will become readily apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following detailed description,wherein it is shown and described various aspects by way ofillustration. The drawings and detailed description are to be regardedas illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only,with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates trilateration using RSSI measurements.

FIG. 2 illustrates trilateration using RTT measurements.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show a subcarrier carrying a first order pilot signalof an OFDM symbol in the time domain.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a one-way signal time.

FIG. 8 show a receive window of an OFDM subcarrier.

FIG. 9 illustrates various times in RTT signaling.

FIGS. 10-15 are equations associated with RTT signaling, in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 16-19 show higher order pilot signals of an OFDM symbol in thetime domain, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 illustrates line fitting, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 21 shows a circuit to average phase delays, in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 22A and 22B show a thread diagram of two transceivers used todetermine an RTT, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 23A, 23B, 24A, 24B, 25A and 25B show thread diagrams of twotransceivers used to determine an OWT, in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 26A and 26B show apparatuses, in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various aspects of the presentdisclosure and is not intended to represent the only aspects in whichthe present disclosure may be practiced. Each aspect described in thisdisclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration of thepresent disclosure, and should not necessarily be construed as preferredor advantageous over other aspects. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without thesespecific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devicesare shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the conceptsof the present disclosure. Acronyms and other descriptive terminologymay be used merely for convenience and clarity and are not intended tolimit the scope of the disclosure.

Position determination techniques described herein may be implemented inconjunction with various wireless communication networks such as awireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN),a wireless personal area network (WPAN), and so on. The term “network”and “system” are often used interchangeably. A WWAN may be a CodeDivision Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Time Division Multiple Access(TDMA) network, a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) network, anOrthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, aSingle-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) network,Long Term Evolution (LTE), and so on. A CDMA network may implement oneor more radio access technologies (RATs) such as cdma2000, Wideband-CDMA(W-CDMA), and so on. Cdma2000 includes IS-95, IS-2000, and IS-856standards. A TDMA network may implement Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System (D-AMPS), orsome other RAT. GSM and W-CDMA are described in documents from aconsortium named “3rd Generation Partnership Project” (3GPP). Cdma2000is described in documents from a consortium named “3rd GenerationPartnership Project 2” (3GPP2). 3GPP and 3GPP2 documents are publiclyavailable. A WLAN may be an IEEE 802.11x network, and a WPAN may be aBluetooth network, an IEEE 802.15x, or some other type of network. Thetechniques may also be implemented in conjunction with any combinationof WWAN, WLAN and/or WPAN.

A satellite positioning system (SPS) typically includes a system oftransmitters positioned to enable entities to determine their locationon or above the Earth based, at least in part, on signals received fromthe transmitters. Such a transmitter typically transmits a signal markedwith a repeating pseudo-random noise (PN) code of a set number of chipsand may be located on ground based control stations, user equipmentand/or space vehicles. In a particular example, such transmitters may belocated on Earth orbiting satellite vehicles (SVs). For example, a SV ina constellation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) such asGlobal Positioning System (GPS), Galileo, GLONASS or Compass maytransmit a signal marked with a PN code that is distinguishable from PNcodes transmitted by other SVs in the constellation (e.g., usingdifferent PN codes for each satellite as in GPS or using the same codeon different frequencies as in GLONASS). In accordance with certainaspects, the techniques presented herein are not restricted to globalsystems (e.g., GNSS) for SPS. For example, the techniques providedherein may be applied to or otherwise enabled for use in variousregional systems, such as, e.g., Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS)over Japan, Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) overIndia, Beidou over China, etc., and/or various augmentation systems(e.g., an Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS)) that may beassociated with or otherwise enabled for use with one or more globaland/or regional navigation satellite systems. By way of example but notlimitation, an SBAS may include an augmentation system(s) that providesintegrity information, differential corrections, etc., such as, e.g.,Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), European Geostationary NavigationOverlay Service (EGNOS), Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System(MSAS), GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation or GPS and Geo AugmentedNavigation system (GAGAN), and/or the like. Thus, as used herein an SPSmay include any combination of one or more global and/or regionalnavigation satellite systems and/or augmentation systems, and SPSsignals may include SPS, SPS-like, and/or other signals associated withsuch one or more SPS.

As used herein, a mobile device, sometimes referred to as a mobilestation (MS) or user equipment (UE), such as a cellular phone, mobilephone or other wireless communication device, personal communicationsystem (PCS) device, personal navigation device (PND), PersonalInformation Manager (PIM), Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), laptop orother suitable mobile device which is capable of receiving wirelesscommunication and/or navigation signals. The term “mobile station” isalso intended to include devices which communicate with a personalnavigation device (PND), such as by short-range wireless, infrared,wireline connection, or other connection—regardless of whether satellitesignal reception, assistance data reception, and/or position-relatedprocessing occurs at the device or at the PND. Also, “mobile station” isintended to include all devices, including wireless communicationdevices, computers, laptops, etc. which are capable of communicationwith a server, such as via the Internet, WiFi, or other network, andregardless of whether satellite signal reception, assistance datareception, and/or position-related processing occurs at the device, at aserver, or at another device associated with the network. Any operablecombination of the above are also considered a “mobile device.”

For reference, in an IEEE 802.11n system, an OFDM symbol (without acyclic prefix) is 3.2 milliseconds (ms). An OFDM frame length (or anOFDM symbol with a cyclic prefix) is 4.0 ms. A cyclic prefix is 0.8 ms.

Consider a case with a first transceiver A and a second transceiver B.The transceivers may be a mobile device and an access point. Round-triptime (RTT) is determined by sending a first OFDM signal from the firsttransceiver A to the second transceiver B and then sending a second OFDMsignal from the second transceiver B back to the first transceiver A.The first transceiver A may have a clock AA asynchronous with clock BBof the second transceiver B.

For reference, the following times t are defined. Internal clock timesare represented with a variable t. A subscript ‘A’ or ‘1’ is used whenreferencing an event associated with the first transceiver A. Asubscript ‘B’ or ‘2’ is used when referencing an event associated withthe second transceiver B. The time the first OFDM signal is transmittedfrom the first transceiver is t_(T1). The time the first OFDM signal isreceived at the second transceiver is t_(R1). The time the second OFDMsignal is transmitted from a second transceiver is t_(T2). The time thesecond OFDM signal is received by the first transceiver is t_(R2). Theprocessing delay or estimated latency within the second transceiver isT_(TCF)=(t_(T2)−t_(R1)). An OFDM signal is received (either first at thesecond transceiver B or later at the first transceiver A) in a receptionwindow having a start time t_(window) and is asynchronous from the startof the OFDM signal as received at time t_(R).

Periods or durations of time are represented with a variable T. Theperiod of time between the window start time t_(window) and the start ofthe OFDM signal as received t_(R) is represented as T_(Φ). The variableT_(Φ) may be in terms of time or equivalently in terms of degrees ofphase (e.g., 0° to 45°). Specifically, for the first OFDM signalreceived by the second transceiver B, the period of time between thesecond window B start time t_(windowB) and the start of the first OFDMsignal as received t_(R1) is represented as T_(ΦB). For the second OFDMsignal received by the first transceiver A, the period of time betweenthe first window A start time t_(windowA) and the start of the secondOFDM signal as received t_(R2) is represented as T_(ΦA).

As explained above, the period of time that the second transceiver Btakes to receive and process the first OFDM signal, then to transmit thesecond OFDM signal is a time-cost function or latency represented byT_(TCF). Finally, the period of time the first and second OFDM signalsare traveling are represented by T_(onewayAB) (from the firsttransceiver A to the second transceiver B) and T_(onewayBA) (from thesecond transceiver B back to the first transceiver A), respectfully.

FIG. 1 illustrates trilateration using RSSI measurements. At least threeaccess points (shown as AP₁ 100-1, AP₂ 100-2 and AP₃ 100-3) transmit asignal (RSSI₁, RSSI₂ and RSSI₃), respectively. The mobile device (MS200) receives the transmitted signals from the access points at variouslevels. With knowledge of the original transmit level and the receivedlevel, a difference shows the path attenuation, which corresponds to adistance. Knowing three or more locations of transmitters andcorresponding distances to those transmitters derived from the RSSIsignals, MS 200 may approximate its position via trilateration.

FIG. 2 illustrates trilateration using RTT measurements. Either theaccess point or the mobile device may initiate an RTT signal. In thecase shown, MS 200 initiates a signal, which each access point (shown asAP₁ 100-1, AP₂ 100-2 and AP₃ 100-3) receives and retransmits back to MS200. MS 200 receives these signals at various times. Each time delayreflects a path delay, which again corresponds to a distance. With threedistances from the RTT signals, MS 200 may approximate its position viatrilateration.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show a subcarrier carrying a first order pilot signalof an OFDM symbol in the time domain. FIG. 3 shows one sub-channel of anOFDM symbol. The OFDM symbol is an example pilot signal having a singlesinusoidal wave. The information signal begins at t₀ and ends at t_(E).

FIG. 4 shows how a transmitted OFDM symbol includes a cyclic prefix (CP)taken from then last 25% of the symbol and copied to the beginning ofthe transmitted OFDM symbol. The timeline begins at t_(S) and continuesto t₀ with the CP. The timeline then continues from t₀ to t_(E) with theOFDM symbol. The difference between t₀ and t_(E) is the OFDM symbolwidth. The difference between t_(S) and t_(E) is the entire transmittedOFDM symbol with the CP. The transmitted OFDM symbol starts with a CPcopied to t_(S) to t₀ from the last 25% of the OFDM symbol.

FIG. 5 shows a delay of the signal traveling from a first transmitter Ato a second transmitter B. The start of the OFDM symbol with CP is shownas t_(CP)=t_(S). The beginning of the OFDM symbol with CP is shown ast₀=t_(0A) at the first transceiver A and t₀=t_(0B) at the secondtransceiver B. The end of the OFDM symbol is shown as t_(E)=t_(F). Thetravel time from the first transmitter A to the second transmitter B isshown as T_(onewayAB).

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a one-way signal time. In FIG. 6, a unifiedtimeline shows an approximation of T_(onewayAB) as the period fromtransmission TX t_(0A) to reception RX t_(windowB). The receive window,which begins at t_(windowB,) includes a variable part of the CP, whichincorporates a first uncertainty that makes T_(onewayAB) anapproximation.

In FIG. 7, a mathematical representation of T_(onewayAB) is shown. Theoneway time from the first transceiver A to the second transceiver B isT_(onewayAB). An approximation of T_(onewayAB) is found from adifference of t_(windowB) (the beginning of the receiver window on thesecond transceiver B) and t_(0A) (the beginning of the transmission ofthe OFDM symbol without CP). Unfortunately, t_(windowB) is knownaccording to the clock of the second transceiver B and t_(0A) is knownaccording to the clock of the first transceiver A, thus causing a seconduncertainty.

FIG. 8 show a receive window of an OFDM subcarrier. Generally, thereceive window begins at t_(window) and includes a variable part of thetransmitted CP. The window width is equal to an OFDM symbol without theCP. Before the beginning of the receive window at t_(window), the OFDMsymbol with the CP arrives at the receiver. A period between when thewindow begins at t_(window) and the beginning of the OFDM symbol t_(R),is shown as T_(Φ). After the end of the receive window, the OFDM symbolcontinues to arrive at the receiver until time t_(F).

Specifically, the receive time (t_(R)) of the OFDM symbol may beerroneously estimated as the beginning of the receive window(t_(window)). The transmitted OFDM frame (CP+symbol) is 4.0 ms long (0.8ms+3.2 ms) but the receive window is only 3.2 ms wide. However, thereceive window does not necessarily start at the beginning of the OFDMsymbol t_(R). The receive window can start anywhere within the first 0.8ms and lasts for 3.2 ms. The receive window most likely starts withinsome time during the cycle prefix. Therefore, the beginning of thereceive window is usually not the beginning of the (non-CP) OFDM symbol,however, conventional systems set the beginning of the receive window(t_(window)) as the beginning of the OFDM symbol. Unfortunately, thisoffset of the OFDM symbol receive time to the beginning of the receivewindow (t_(window)) incorporates up to 25% of an OFDM symbol length oftime, which shows as a distance error of up to several kilometers.

In response, embodiments use the phase offset found in the received OFDMsignal to determine where the (non-CP) OFDM symbol actually begins(t_(R)) and adjust the received OFDM signal time accordingly rather thansimply using the beginning of the receive window (t_(window)) as theOFDM start time. This phase offset is shown as T_(Φ), which may be atime, variable count or angle between t_(R) and t_(window). The timet_(R) may be determined either based on wave height at t_(window) orwhen the OFDM wave crosses the x-axis.

FIG. 9 illustrates various times in RTT signaling. According to theclock in the first transceiver A, time t_(T1) is when the OFDM symbol istransmitted. According to the clock in the second transceiver B, timet_(windowB) is at the start of window B, time t_(R1) is when the OFDMwaveform crosses the x-axis (that is, the time between the CP and theOFDM symbol at the receiver), and the time t_(T2) is the time the secondOFDM symbol is transmitted. Also, according to the clock in the firsttransceiver A, time t_(windowA) is at the start of window B, and timet_(R2) is the time the second OFDM symbol is received.

The latency period T_(TCF) in the second transceiver is estimated andruns from t_(windowB) to t_(T2). The period T_(ΦB) is the window B phasedifference and runs from t_(windowB) to t_(R1). The period T_(ΦA) is thewindow A phase difference and runs from t_(windowA) to t_(R2). Theperiod T_(onewayAB) is a period of time the first OFDM signal istraveling from the first transceiver A to the second transceiver B. Theperiod T_(onewayBA) is a period of time the second OFDM signal istraveling from the second transceiver B to the first transceiver A.

FIGS. 10-15 are equations associated with RTT signaling, in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention. Round-trip time (RTT)may be computed theoretically by combining the outbound signal traveltime and inbound signal travel time, as shown in FIG. 10. That is,T_(RRT)=T_(onewayAB)+T_(onewayBA). Alternatively, RTT may be estimatedfrom a difference of the first transmission (t_(T1)) to the lastreception (t_(R2)) less the estimated latency (also known as the timecost function or T_(TCF)) in the middle transceiver, as shown in FIG.11. That is, T_(RRT)≈(t_(windowA)−t_(T1))−TCF.

FIG. 12 shows the one-way travel time (T_(onewayAB)) computed as thedifference between transmit time (t_(T1)) and reception time(t_(windowB)) adjusted by the signal phase (T_(ΦB)). That is,T_(onewayAB)={(t_(windowB)+T_(ΦB))−t_(T1)}. Time t_(windowB) isassociated with the clock of the second transceiver B. Time t_(T1) isassociated with the clock of the first transceiver A. Similarly, thereverse one-way travel time is computed as T_(onewayBA)={(t_(windowA+T)_(ΦA))−t_(T2)}.

FIG. 13 shows the period T_(RRT) after these equations (described abovewith reference to FIG. 12) is substituted into the equation of FIG. 10.That is,T_(RRT)={(t_(windowB)+T_(ΦB))−t_(T1)}+{(t_(windowA)+T_(ΦA))−t_(T2)}.Times t_(windowB) and t_(T2) are associated with the clock of the secondtransceiver B. Times t_(windowA) and t_(T1) are associated with theclock of the first transceiver A.

FIG. 14 regroups the variable of the equation of FIG. 13 based on whichclock the variable is associated. In this case,T_(RRT)={(t_(windowA)−T_(T1))+(T^(ΦB)+T_(ΦA)−(t) _(T2)−t_(windowB))}.Time (t_(windowA)−T_(T1)) is associated with the clock of the firsttransceiver A. Time (t_(T2)−t_(windowB)) is associated with the clock ofthe second transceiver B.

FIG. 15 substitutes the latency definition ofT_(TCF)=(t_(T2)−t_(windowB)) into the equation of FIG. 14 to result inan equation that is independent of clock BB in the second transceiver B.That is, T_(RRT)={(t_(windowA)−T_(T1))+(T_(ΦB)+T_(ΦA))−(T_(TFC))}. Time(t_(windowA)−T_(T1)) is associated with the clock of the firsttransceiver A. No time is associated with the clock of the secondtransceiver B.

FIGS. 16-19 show higher order pilot signals of an OFDM symbol in thetime domain, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention. In FIG. 16, a two-cycle pilot signal is shown. The CP is ahalf-cycle signal attached to the beginning of the two-cycle OFDMsymbol. The two-cycle pilot signal begins with a CP signal from t_(S) tot_(R) and then the two-cycle signal from t_(R) to t_(F). Only a fractionof the ending CP signal of period T_(Φ)resides in the receive window,which starts at t_(window). A large fraction of the OFDM symbol startingat t_(R) is in the receive window as well. A copy of the tail end of theOFDM symbol is found at the beginning of the window as the CP signal.

In FIG. 17, a three-cycle pilot signal is shown. The CP is ¾ of a symbolcycle copied from the tail of the three-cycle OFDM symbol. Similarly,FIG. 18 shows a four-cycle signal. The CP is a full cycle copied fromthe end of the four-cycle OFDM symbol. FIG. 19 shows a five-cyclesignal. The CP is a 1.25 cycles copied from the end of the five-cycleOFDM symbol.

In each case, the period T_(Φ)stays constant but the number of cycles(or parts of cycles) changes based on the frequency of the pilot OFDMsymbol. In the specific example shown, the one-cycle case shows T_(Φ)is⅛ of a cycle (FIG. 8), the two-cycle case shows T_(Φ)is 2/8 or ¼ of acycle (FIG. 16), the three-cycle case shows T_(Φ)is ⅜ of a cycle (FIG.17), the four-cycle case shows T_(Φ)is 4/8 or ½ of a cycle (FIG. 18),and the five-cycle case shows T_(Φ)is ⅝ of a cycle (FIG. 19). In a noisyor live data situation, the fractions of a cycle within the periodT_(Φ)will not be exact as the theoretical numbers above.

FIG. 20 illustrates line fitting, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention. Four pilot signals having a base number of cyclesare shown: a first pilot having one cycle; a second pilot having fourcycles; a third pilot having six cycles; and a fourth pilot having ninecycles. The zero crossing is determined and shown as a phase of the basecycle signal. In some embodiments, the zero crossing may be determinedby measuring the amplitude at the beginning of the receiver window. Inother embodiments, the zero crossing may be determined by taking acomplex FFT of the samples that make up the t window and then obtainingthe resulting phase of that pilot.

The single-cycle signal is shown with a phase delay T_(Φ)of 45°. Higherorder phases (pilots having four or more cycles) are adjusted ifnecessary to account for wrapping past additional cycles. That is,n*360° where n is a positive integer may be added to the measured phasesuch that the phase measurement roughly falls on a line. For example,one or more full 360° cycles may be added to the phase measurement ifany phase measurement jumps down by n*360°.

Here, the four-cycle signal is measured having a phase delay T_(Φ)ofjust larger than 180°. The six-cycle signal is measured having a phasedelay T_(Φ)of just smaller than 270°. The nine-cycle signal is measuredhaving a phase delay T_(Φ)of just larger than 405°. In these cases, thefour and six-cycle case did not need one or more 360° cycles added butthe nine-cycle case, if a phase of 45° was measured, 360° is added tothe measurement such that the phase delay roughly falls on a line at405° . That is, the phase for the nine-cycle signal may be 45°+n*360°(i.e., 45°+0*360°=45°, 45°+1*360°=405°, 45°+2*360°=765°, etc.) but n=1or 45°+1*360°=405° best fits the trend. A line-fitting algorithm runs tofind a best line through the points. The resulting slope defines thephase delay T_(Φ).

FIG. 21 shows a circuit to average phase delays, in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention. The phase delay T_(Φ)for thesingle-cycle signal is measured. For multiple-cycle signals of thepilots, any whole cycle rollovers are taken into account by addingn*360° to the phase delay prior to dividing. The phase delay T_(Φ)forthe four-cycle signal is measured and divided by four. The phase delayT_(Φ)for the six-cycle signal is measured and divided by six. The phasedelay T_(Φ)for the nine-cycle signal is measured and divided by nine.After division, the phase delay T_(Φ)for each signal should beapproximately equal to the phase delay T_(Φ)for the single-cycle signal.In some implementations, the optional weighting shown is used toemphasis the lower cycle signals over the higher cycle signals. In otherimplementations, the optional weighting is used to emphasis the highercycle signals over the lower cycle signals. Still other implementationsincorporate variable weighting emphasizing midrange cycle signals. Thecombiner sums the signals to arrive at an average phase delay T_(Φ)for asingle-cycle signal.

FIGS. 22A and 22B show a thread diagram of two transceivers used todetermine an RTT, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention. In FIG. 22A, a method 600A in a first transceiver A 602 isshown and in FIG. 22B, a method 600B in a second transceiver B 604 isshown, with figure interconnects A and B.

Beginning with FIG. 22A, a first OFDM signal 608 is communicated fromthe first transceiver A 602 to the second transceiver B 604 via figureinterconnect A. In FIG. 22B, a second OFDM signal 616 is communicatedfrom the second transceiver B 604 back to the first transceiver A 602via figure interconnect B. The systems are used for estimating around-trip time (RTT) of a first OFDM signal 608 and a second OFDMsignal 616 through the second transceiver B 604. The first OFDM signal608 and the second OFDM signal 616 may include a plurality of OFDMsub-channels carrying a signal having a cyclic prefix. The method mayinclude selecting a first sub-channel of the first OFDM signal 608(e.g., a first pilot signal). For example, a plurality of pilot signalsmay be selected from the plurality of sub-channels.

In FIG. 22A, at 606 a method 600A in the first transceiver A 602includes transmitting the first OFDM signal 608 at a first transmit time(t_(T1)) from the first transceiver A 602 to the second transceiver B604 via figure interconnect A. In FIG. 22B, a method 600B for estimatinga receive time of the first OFDM signal 608 in the second transceiver B604 begins via figure interconnect A. At 610, the second transceiver B604 receives, from the first transceiver A 602, the first OFDM signal608 in a window B having a window B start time (t_(windowB)). The windowB may define a width of an OFDM symbol (e.g., 3.2 ms).

At 612, the second transceiver B 604 determines a window B phasedifference (T_(ΦB)) from a first difference between a receive time(t_(R1)) of the first OFDM signal 608 and the window B start time(t_(windowB)). Determining the window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) mayinclude: (1) determining the first difference of the receive time(t_(R1)) of the first OFDM signal and the window B start time(t_(windowB)) of the window B (e.g., T_(ΦB1) of a single-cycle signal);(2) determining a second difference of a second receive time of thefirst OFDM signal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)) of thewindow B (e.g., T_(ΦB4) of a four-cycle signal); and (3) combining thefirst difference and the second difference to form the window B phasedifference (T_(ΦB)). Combining the first difference and the seconddifference may include an average (e.g., dividing by a number of cyclesand a weighted average or other line fitting algorithm) of the firstdifference and the second difference. Additional differences from otherpilot signals (e.g., T_(ΦB6) & T_(ΦB9)) may be determined and combined.

At 614, the method optionally includes sending, from the secondtransceiver B 604 and to the first transceiver A 602, a messageindicative of the window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)). At 614, the secondtransceiver B 604 sends a second OFDM signal 616 at figure interconnectB.

Back to FIG. 22A, at 618, the first transceiver A 602 receives, at thefirst transceiver A 602 and from the second transceiver B 604 via figureinterconnect B, the second OFDM signal 616 in a window A having a windowA start time (t_(windowA)).

At 618, the first transceiver A 602 receives, from the secondtransceiver B 604, a message indicative of the window B phase difference(T_(ΦB)) of a difference between a receive time (t_(R1)) of the firstOFDM signal 608 and a window B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B.

At 620, the first transceiver A 602 determines a window A phasedifference (T_(ΦA)) from a first difference of a receive time (t_(R2))of the second OFDM signal 616 and the window A start time (t_(windowA))of the window A (similar to the description above with reference to612).

At 622, the first transceiver A 602 computes the RTT based on: (1) thewindow A start time (t_(windowA)) of the window A; (2) the firsttransmit time (t_(T1)); (3) the window A phase difference (T_(ΦA)); (4)the window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)); and (5) a latency (T_(TCF)).

The above-description round-trip OFDM signal is independent of whetherthe first transceiver 602 and the second transceiver 604 areasynchronous or synchronous. The method of positioning described removesthe mobile device's clock from the final calculation, as shown by B'sclock removal from FIG. 14 to FIG. 15. If the transceivers aresynchronous, however, B's clock does not necessarily need to be removedand phase may be measured for a one-way OFDM signal.

For example, in synchronous LTE deployments and other synchronousnetworks, an OWT may be measured. A mobile device may be synchronous tothe network, for example, by using GPS time. If synchronization is takeninto account, ranging time in such a synchronous system no long dependedon a round-trip signal. Therefore, position determination may bedetermined based on the single-way OFDM signal also known as the OWT.

The one-way travel time (T_(onewayAB)) shown in FIG. 12 may computed bythe mobile device as the difference between transmit time (t_(T1)) andreception time (t_(windowB)) adjusted by the signal phase (T_(ΦB)). Thetransmit time (t_(T1)) may be signaled to the mobile device and thedifference between the transmit time (t_(T1)) and the reception time(t_(windowB)) may be considered based on a common clock (e.g., GPS timeor CDMA time).Alternatively, instead of using signaling, the transmittime (t_(T1)) may be at a known epoch in time with a known phaserelative to the networks to which they are synchronous with. The knownepochs may occur periodically, such as every 160 ms or every one second.In this manner, it is not necessary to signal the transmit time (t_(T1))to the mobile device because the transmit time (t_(T1)) may beinherently deduced as occurring at the previously occurring epoch intime.

That is, the time t_(windowB) is associated with the clock of the secondtransceiver B, which is also associated with the time t_(T1) associatedwith the clock of the first transceiver A. In such a manner, ranging maybe determined based on an OFDM signal transmitted by the base stationand received by the mobile device. Alternatively, the reverse one-waytravel time for an OFDM signal transmitted by the mobile device andreceived by the base station. In this case, the one-way travel time iscomputed as T_(onewayBA)={(t_(windowA)+T_(ΦA))−t_(T2)} where parameterst_(windowA) and t_(T2) are both with reference to a common time. Ineither case, a transmitter transmits an OFDM signal that is received bya receiver in a receive window (t_(window)). The transmit time (t_(T))is sent from the transmitter to the receiver in the same OFDM signal orin a separate message. Alternatively, the transmit time (t_(T)) is knownto the receiver a priori. That is, the transmit time (t_(T)) may bededuced as being the closest epoch in time before the signal is received(e.g., transmission can only occur at the one second boundaries so thetransmit time (t_(T)) is the second boundary occurring just before thesignal is received).

Therefore, in some cases of one-way travel time, the receiver computesthe one-way travel time of the OFDM signal. In other cases, thetransmitter does not signal the transmit time (t_(T)) to the receiverbut instead the receiver side signals the parameter t_(window) to thetransmitter side. In this case, the transmitter transmits an OFDM signalfor ranging but then also computes the one-way travel time of the OFDMsignal. In still other cases, the receiver deduces the transmit time(t_(T)) as occurring at the previous epoch in time.

The LTE standard allows a base station to transmit to a mobile devicethe base station's timing offset, if any, with respect to GPS time orCDMA time. For GPS time, the mobile device may determine the GPS timefrom a GPS position fix. In the near term, the GPS time will remainaccurate enough to provide reliable even if the GPS receiver isdisabled, for example, to save power. If a predetermined amount of timepasses or it is determined that the GPS clock has degraded too much, themobile device may acquire a new position fix to refresh the GPS timewith a new clock.

FIGS. 23A, 23B, 24A, 24B, 25A and 25B show thread diagrams of twotransceivers used to determine an OWT (one-way time), in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention. The systems are used forestimating the OWT between a first transceiver A and a secondtransceiver B. In FIGS. 23A and 23B, an OWT from the first transceiver Ato the second transceiver B is computed in the first transceiver A. InFIGS. 24A and 24B, the OWT from the first transceiver A to the secondtransceiver B is computed in the second transceiver B. In FIGS. 25A and25B, an OWT from the second transceiver B to the first transceiver A iscomputed in the first transceiver A.

In FIGS. 23A and 23B, a method 700A is shown in a first transceiver A702 and a method 700B is shown in a second transceiver A 704, shown withfigure interconnects C and D. In FIG. 23A, the first transceiver A 702transmits a ranging signal to the second transceiver B 704 but the firsttransceiver A 702 computes the one-way time. At 706, an OFDM signal 708is transmitted from a first transceiver A 702 at a first transmit time(t_(T1)) to a second transceiver B 704, shown with figure interconnectC.

In FIG. 23B, at 710, the OFDM signal 708 is received at the secondtransceiver B 704 in a window B having a window B start time(t_(windowB)). At 712, the second transceiver B 704 determines a windowB phase difference (T_(ΦB)) from a first difference between a receivetime (t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal 708 and the window B start time(t_(windowB)). At 714, the method optionally includes sending, from thesecond transceiver B 704 and to the first transceiver A 702, a message716 shown via figure interconnect D and indicative of the receive time(t_(R1)).

Back to FIG. 22A, at 718, the first transceiver A 702 receives thereceive time (t_(R1)) in message 716 via figure interconnect D. At 722,the first transceiver A 702 computes the OWT based on: (1) the window Bstart time (t_(windowB)) of the window B; (2) the window B phasedifference (T_(ΦB)); and (3) the first transmit time (t_(T1)) computedas T_(onewayAB){(t_(windowB)+T_(ΦB))−T_(T1)} as shown in FIG. 12.

In FIGS. 24A and 24B, a method 800A in a first transceiver A 802 and amethod 800B in a second transceiver are shown. The first transceiver A802 transmits a ranging signal to the second transceiver B 804 and thesecond transceiver B 804 computes the one-way time. Beginning in FIG.24A, at 806, an OFDM signal 808 is transmitted from a first transceiverA 802 at a first transmit time (t_(T1)) to a second transceiver B 804 asshown via figure interconnect E.

Next in FIG. 24B, at 810, the OFDM signal 808 is received via figureinterconnect E at the second transceiver B 804 in a window B having awindow B start time (t_(windowB)). At 812, the second transceiver B 804determines a window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) from a first differencebetween a receive time (t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal 808 and the window Bstart time (t_(windowB)). At 814, the method optionally includesreceiving, from the first transceiver A 802 and to the secondtransceiver B 804, a message (transmit time signal 816 via figureinterconnect F) indicative of the transmit time (t_(T1)). Back to FIG.24A, at 818, the first transceiver A 802 sends the transmit time(t_(T1)) in message 816. Alternatively, the transmit time (t_(T1)) isdeduced as occurring at the known previous epoch. Finally in FIG. 22B,at 822, the second transceiver B 804 computes the OWT based on: (1) thewindow B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B; (2) the window Bphase difference (T_(ΦB)); and (3) the first transmit time (t_(T1))computed as T_(onewayAB){(t_(windowB)+T_(ΦB))−t_(T1)} as shown in FIG.12.

In FIGS. 25A and 25B, a method 900A in a second transceiver B 904 and amethod 900B in a first transceiver A 902 are shown. In FIG. 25A, at 914,an OFDM signal 916A is transmitted from a second transceiver B 904 at atransmit time (t_(T2)) to a first transceiver A 902 shown with figureinterconnect G. The transmit time (t_(T2)) is also sent in a transmittime signal 916B from the second transceiver B 904 to a firsttransceiver A 902 also shown with figure interconnect G.

In FIG. 25B, at 918, the OFDM signal 916A and the transmit time (t_(T2))916B are received at the first transceiver A 902 via figure interconnectG. Alternatively, the OFDM signal 916A is received at the firsttransceiver A 902 and the transmit time (t_(T2)) 916B is deduced asbeing the previous epoch. The OFDM signal 916A is received in a window Ahaving a window A start time (t_(windowA)). At 920, the firsttransceiver A 902 determines a window A phase difference (T_(ΦA)) from afirst difference between a receive time (t_(R2)) of the OFDM signal 916Aand the window A start time (t_(windowA)). At 922, the first transceiverA 902 computes the OWT based on: (1) the window A start time(t_(windowA)) of the window A; (2) the window A phase difference(T_(ΦA)); and (3) the transmit time (t_(T2)) computed asT_(onewayAB)={(t_(windowA)+T_(ΦA))−t_(T2)}.

For the synchronous OWT methods (e.g., as described above referencing23A, 23B, 24A, 24B, 25A and 25B), transmitter(s) and receiver(s) areclosely synchronized to each other so the transmit or receive times areaccurate relative to each other. Typically, when three transmitters orthree receivers are base stations, the multiple base stations areaccurately synchronized. However, when three transmitters or threereceivers are mobile devices, the multiple mobile devices are lessaccurately synchronized and the resulting position fix may be lessaccurate because the path lengths are known with less certainty.

Three transmitters and one receiver may be used. When computing aposition fix, the one receiver (e.g., a mobile device) may receivesignals from at least three transmitters (e.g., access points, LTE basestations). The locations of the transmitters at the transmit time(t_(T)) are known. The one receiver may then compute the one receiver'sposition based on the path lengths from the three transmitters to theone receiver.

Alternatively, one transmitter and three receivers may be used. Atransmitter (e.g., a mobile device) may transmit an OFDM signal to atleast three receivers (e.g., access points, LTE base stations). Thereceivers share their receive times of the OFDM signal (e.g., with thetransmitter, one of the receivers or a location server) to determine thepath lengths from the transmitter to the three receivers. Based on thepath lengths and the locations of the receivers at the time the OFDMsignal is received, the position of the one transmitter may bedetermined.

Alternatively, the one receiver or three receivers send the receivedtime(s) to a central point (e.g., the mobile device, an access point, alocation server, a server in the network) to compute the location of theone receiver or one transmitter. Also, if not computed at the onereceiver or one transmitter, the computed position fix may be sent backto the one receiver or one transmitter for use.

The transmitter(s) and receiver(s) (first transceiver A and secondtransceivers B) may be a combination of one or more mobile devices,access points, LTE base stations, base stations, and the like, and maybe stationary or moving (as long as the locations of the threetransmitters at transmit time or three receivers at receive time areknown).

Transmitter(s) and receiver(s) may all be just base stations or justmobile devices. For example, a transmitter of a transmitted OFDM signalmay be a first LTE base station (just configured and having an unknownlocation) and the receivers of the OFDM signal may be three differentLTE base stations (with known locations). A position fix of the firstLTE base station may be determined based on the receive time at thethree different LTE base stations.

Alternatively, a transmitter of a transmitted OFDM signal may be a firstmobile device and the receivers of the OFDM signal may be threedifferent mobile devices. A position fix of the first mobile device maybe determined based on the receive time at the three difference mobiledevices as long as the positions of the three difference mobile devicesat the time of reception are known and time synchronized (e.g., with GPStime) with the first mobile device. This assumes for some reason thoughthat the mobile devices are synchronized by the first mobile devicecannot determine its position via GPS signals.

Often, the transmitter is a mobile device with an unknown position andthe receivers are three LTE base stations with known positions. In thiscase, the network usually computes a position fix of the mobile devicebased on the three receive times at the three LTE base stations andsends the computed position fix to the mobile device. Alternatively, thereceiver is a mobile device with an unknown position and thetransmitters are three LTE base stations with known positions. In thiscase, the mobile device usually computes a position fix for itself andmay send the computed position fix to the network. In any case,additional receivers or transmitters (i.e., more than three) may be usedto enable more precise determination of a position fix.

FIGS. 26A and 26B show apparatuses, in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention. In FIG. 26A, a first apparatus 1100 includes afirst transceiver 1110 and a processor 1120. The entire first apparatus1100 may sometimes be referred to as a first transceiver A (e.g., firsttransceiver 602, 702, 802 or 902). The first transceiver 1110 includes atransmitter 1112 and a receiver 1114. The processor 1120 is coupled tothe first transceiver 1110. The first transceiver 1110 is also coupledto one or more antennas. Memory 1122 may be either embedded or attachedto the processor 1120 and contain software or code to perform functionsin the processor 1120.

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 22A and 26A, a first apparatus1100 for estimating RTT in an OFDM system includes a transmitter 1112acting as a means for transmitting a first OFDM signal at a firsttransmit time (t_(T1)) from a first transceiver to a second transceiver,a receiver 1114 acting as a means for receiving, at the firsttransceiver and from the second transceiver, a second OFDM signal in awindow A having a window A start time (t_(windowA)), and a processor1120 acting as a means for determining a window A phase difference(T_(ΦA)) from a first difference of a receive time (t_(R2)) of thesecond OFDM signal and a window A start time (t_(windowA)) of the windowA.

The receiver 1114 may further act as a means for receiving, at the firsttransceiver and from the second transceiver, a message indicative of awindow B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) of a difference between a receivetime (t_(R1)) of the first OFDM signal and a window B start time(t_(windowB)) of a window B.

The processor 1120 acting as the means for determining the window Aphase difference (T_(ΦA)) may act as a means for determining the firstdifference of the receive time (t_(R2)) of the second OFDM signal andthe window A start time (t_(windowA)) of the window A, a means fordetermining a second difference of a second receive time of the secondOFDM signal and the window A start time (t_(windowA)) of the window A,and a means for combining the first difference and the second differenceto form the window A phase difference (T_(ΦA)).

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 25B and 26A, a first apparatus1100 for estimating an OWT in an OFDM system may include a receiver 1114acting as a means for receiving an OFDM signal at a transmit time(t_(T2)) at a first transceiver 1110 and from a second transceiver 1210in a window A having a window A start time (t_(windowA)) and a means forreceiving the transmit time (t_(T2)) from the second transceiver 1210sent to the first transceiver 1110, and a processor 1120 acting as ameans for determining a window A phase difference (T_(ΦA)) from a firstdifference of a receive time (t_(R2)) of the OFDM signal and a window Astart time (t_(windowA)) of the window A, and a means for computing theOWT based on (1) the window A start time (t_(windowA)) of the window A,(2) the window A phase difference (T_(ΦA)), and (3) the transmit time(t_(T2)), wherein the first transceiver 1110 and the second transceiver1210 are synchronous.

The processor 1120 in the first apparatus 1100 acting as the means fordetermining the window A phase difference (T_(ΦA)) may act as a meansfor determining the first difference of the receive time (t_(R2)) of theOFDM signal and the window A start time (t_(windowA)) of the window A, ameans for determining a second difference of a second receive time ofthe OFDM signal and the window A start time (t_(windowA)) of the windowA, and a means for combining the first difference and the seconddifference to form the window A phase difference (T_(ΦA)).

A further description of the first apparatus 1100 may be found withreference to functions performed by a first transceiver 602, 702, 802 or902 found in FIGS. 22A, 23A, 24A and 25B described above.

In FIG. 26B, a second apparatus 1200 includes a second transceiver 1210and a processor 1220. The entire second apparatus 1200 may sometimes bereferred to as a second transceiver A (e.g., second transceiver 604,704, 804 or 904). The second transceiver 1210 includes a transmitter1212 and a receiver 1214. The processor 1220 is coupled to the secondtransceiver 1210. The second transceiver 1210 is also coupled to one ormore antennas. Memory 1222 may be either embedded or attached to theprocessor 1220 and contain software or code to perform functions in theprocessor 1220.

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 22B and 26B, a second apparatus1200 for estimating a receive time of a first OFDM signal in an OFDMsystem includes a receiver 1214 acting as a means for receiving, from afirst transceiver 1110 and at a second transceiver 1210 of the secondapparatus 1200, a first OFDM signal in a window B having a window Bstart time (t_(windowB)), and a processor 1120 may act as a means fordetermining a window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) from a first differencebetween a receive time (t_(R1)) of the first OFDM signal and the windowB start time (t_(windowB)).

The processor 1220 acting as the means for determining the window Bphase difference (T_(ΦB)) may act as a means for determining the firstdifference of the receive time (t_(R1)) of the first OFDM signal and thewindow B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B, a means fordetermining a second difference of a second receive time of the firstOFDM signal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B,and a means for combining the first difference and the second differenceto form the window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)).

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 24B and 26B, a second apparatus1200 for estimating an OWT in an OFDM system may include a receiver 1214acting as a means for receiving an OFDM signal at a first transmit time(t_(T1)) from a first transceiver 1110 sent to the second apparatus 1200in a window B having a window B start time (t_(windowB)), and aprocessor 1220 acting as a means for determining a window B phasedifference (T_(ΦB)) from a first difference of a receive time (t_(R1))of the OFDM signal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)) of thewindow B, wherein the first transceiver 1110 and the second transceiver1210 are synchronous.

The second apparatus 1200 may further include a transmitter 1212 actingas a means for sending the receive time (t_(R1)) from the secondtransceiver 1210 to the first transceiver 1110 for computing the OWTbased on (1) the window B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B, (2)the window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)), and (3) the transmit time(t_(T1)).

The second apparatus 1200 may also include a receiver 1214 acting as ameans for receiving the receive time (t_(R1)) at the second apparatus1200 and from the first transceiver 1110, and the processor 1220 actingas a means for computing the OWT based on (1) the window B start time(t_(windowB)) of the window B, (2) the window B phase difference(T_(ΦB)), and (3) the transmit time (t_(T1)).

The processor 1220 of the second apparatus 1200 acting as the means fordetermining the window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) may include theprocessor 1220 acting as a means for determining the first difference ofthe receive time (t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal and the window B start time(t_(windowB)) of the window B, as a means for determining a seconddifference of a second receive time of the OFDM signal and the window Bstart time (t_(windowB)) of the window B, and as a means for combiningthe first difference and the second difference to form the window Bphase difference (T_(ΦB)).

A further description of the second apparatus 1200 may be found withreference to functions performed by a second transceiver 604, 704, 804or 904 found in FIGS. 22B, 23B, 24B and 25A described above.

The methodologies described herein may be implemented by various meansdepending upon the application. For example, these methodologies may beimplemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof.For a hardware implementation, the processing units may be implementedwithin one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices(DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers,microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed toperform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof.

For a firmware and/or software implementation, the methodologies may beimplemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) thatperform the functions described herein. Any machine-readable mediumtangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing themethodologies described herein. For example, software codes may bestored in a memory and executed by a processor unit. Memory may beimplemented within the processor unit or external to the processor unit.As used herein the term “memory” refers to any type of long term, shortterm, volatile, nonvolatile, or other memory and is not to be limited toany particular type of memory or number of memories, or type of mediaupon which memory is stored.

If implemented in firmware and/or software, the functions may be storedas one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.Examples include computer-readable media encoded with a data structureand computer-readable media encoded with a computer program.Computer-readable media includes physical computer storage media. Astorage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by acomputer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readablemedia can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium that can be used to store desired program code in the formof instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by acomputer; disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD),laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk andblu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, whilediscs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

In addition to storage on computer readable medium, instructions and/ordata may be provided as signals on transmission media included in acommunication apparatus. For example, a communication apparatus mayinclude a transceiver having signals indicative of instructions anddata. The instructions and data are configured to cause one or moreprocessors to implement the functions outlined in the claims. That is,the communication apparatus includes transmission media with signalsindicative of information to perform disclosed functions. At a firsttime, the transmission media included in the communication apparatus mayinclude a first portion of the information to perform the disclosedfunctions, while at a second time the transmission media included in thecommunication apparatus may include a second portion of the informationto perform the disclosed functions.

The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure.Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other aspects without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for estimating a one-way time (OWT) inan orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, the methodcomprising: receiving an OFDM signal at a first transmit time (t_(T1))from a first transceiver sent to a second transceiver in a window Bhaving a window B start time (t_(windowB)); and determining a window Bphase difference (T_(ΦB)) from a first difference of a receive time(t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)) ofthe window B; wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiverare synchronous.
 2. The method of claim 1, the method further comprisingsending the receive time (t_(R1)) from the second transceiver to thefirst transceiver for computing the OWT based on: the window B starttime (t_(windowB)) of the window B; the window B phase difference(T_(ΦB)); and the transmit time (t_(T1)).
 3. The method of claim 1, themethod further comprising: receiving the receive time (t_(R1)) at thesecond transceiver and from the first transceiver; and computing the OWTbased on: the window B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B; thewindow B phase difference (T_(ΦB)); and the transmit time (t_(T1)). 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the OFDM signal comprises a plurality ofOFDM sub-channels carrying a signal having a cyclic prefix.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining the window B phase difference(T_(ΦB)) comprises: determining the first difference of the receive time(t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)) ofthe window B; determining a second difference of a second receive timeof the OFDM signal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)) of thewindow B; and combining the first difference and the second differenceto form the window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)).
 6. The method of claim5, wherein combining the first difference and the second differencecomprises averaging the first difference and the second difference. 7.An apparatus for estimating a one-way time (OWT) in an orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, the apparatus comprising:means for receiving an OFDM signal at a first transmit time (t_(T1))from a first transceiver sent to the apparatus in a window B having awindow B start time (t_(windowB)); and means for determining a window Bphase difference (T_(ΦB)) from a first difference of a receive time(t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)) ofthe window B; wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiverare synchronous.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising meansfor sending the receive time (t_(R1)) from the second transceiver to thefirst transceiver for computing the OWT based on: the window B starttime (t_(windowB)) of the window B; the window B phase difference(T_(ΦB)); and the transmit time (t_(T1)).
 9. The apparatus of claim 7,further comprising: means for receiving the receive time (t_(R1)) at theapparatus and from the first transceiver; and means for computing theOWT based on: the window B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B; thewindow B phase difference (T_(ΦB)); and the transmit time (t_(T1)). 10.The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for determining the window Bphase difference (T_(ΦB)) comprises: means for determining the firstdifference of the receive time (t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal and thewindow B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B; means for determininga second difference of a second receive time of the OFDM signal and thewindow B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B; and means forcombining the first difference and the second difference to form thewindow B phase difference (T_(ΦB)).
 11. An apparatus for estimating aone-way time (OWT) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) system, the apparatus comprising: a second transceiver configuredto receive an OFDM signal at a first transmit time (t_(T1)) from a firsttransceiver sent to the apparatus in a window B having a window B starttime (t_(windowB)); and a processor coupled to the second transceiverand configured to determine a window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) from afirst difference of a receive time (t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal and thewindow B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B; wherein the firsttransceiver and the second transceiver are synchronous.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, further comprising software instructions to sendthe receive time (t_(R1)) from the second transceiver to the firsttransceiver for computing the OWT based on: the window B start time(t_(windowB)) of the window B; the window B phase difference (T_(ΦB));and the transmit time (t_(T1)).
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, furthercomprising software instructions to: receive the receive time (t_(R1))at the second transceiver and from the first transceiver; and computethe OWT based on: the window B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B;the window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)); and the transmit time (t_(T1)).14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the software instructions todetermine the window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) comprises softwareinstructions to: determine the first difference of the receive time(t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)) ofthe window B; determine a second difference of a second receive time ofthe OFDM signal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)) of the windowB; and combine the first difference and the second difference to formthe window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)).
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium for estimating a one-way time (OWT) inan orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium including program codestored thereon, comprising program code to: receive an OFDM signal at afirst transmit time (t_(T1)) from a first transceiver sent to a secondtransceiver in a window B having a window B start time (t_(windowB));and determine a window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) from a firstdifference of a receive time (t_(R1)) of the OFDM signal and a window Bstart time (t_(windowB)) of the window B.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 15, further comprising programcode to: receive the receive time (t_(R1)) at the second transceiver andfrom the first transceiver; and compute the OWT based on: the window Bstart time (t_(windowB)) of the window B; the window B phase difference(T_(ΦB)); and the transmit time (t_(T1)).
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the program codeto determine the window B phase difference (T_(ΦB)) comprises programcode to: determine the first difference of the receive time (t_(R1)) ofthe OFDM signal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)) of the windowB; determine a second difference of a second receive time of the OFDMsignal and the window B start time (t_(windowB)) of the window B; andcombine the first difference and the second difference to form thewindow B phase difference (T_(ΦB)).